smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 16, 2015 Had the car over to Abbey on Saturday to fit the new diff brace and get the alignment sorted for Japfest 2 at Rockingham today Brace fitted Alignment done And some pics before heading out on track Car felt AMAZING. Stuck in all the bends so well and just shot down the straights. Will put a couple of videos up shortly 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 17, 2015 Couple of videos from my track sessions at Rockingham, sorry it's quite hard to see stuff out the front window... Car performed way better than I could have hoped for, just let down by my driving a couple of times! Nice picture on track taken by a friend of mine and then finally dropped her off at Abbey this morning. Engine will probably be out by the end of the day...gonna be a long wait 2 Keethos and rob275 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 19, 2015 Engine is out Crank is out of the casing ready to be replaced with the new HKS crank 2 Keethos and Tareim reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 24, 2015 Just to let you know I haven't stopped the modding despite not having the car Centre caps for my WedsSport alloys. It's the little touches that count 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 7, 2015 Visit to Abbey at the weekend was very good, great to see the work the guys do when it comes to an engine rebuild. Mark showed me all the components of my block, with half of it sitting on the stand all built and ready to go, with the heads also built up sitting on the side next to the supercharger with the new IAT sensor drilled into the manifold. Everything is pretty much ready to put back together now, just confirming with Mark exactly when he will be able to get it done and more importantly find time to place all the base maps onto the car. I'll hopefully have it for JAE but not promising anything as there's still a lot of work to do and Abbey are incredibly busy as usual If I do have it for JAE, it'll give me a good chance to find some back roads on the way up to the show in order to run the engine in properly. The base map will limit my revs but it's just a case of going up and down that rev range as often as I can over a few hundred miles rather than sitting on the motorway. In all the excitement I forgot to get any pictures...IDIOT! So I've asked Mark if he can take a few quick snaps for me before it all goes back into the car Updates to come soon (I hope!) 1 Tareim reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 7, 2015 OK, quick update from Mark, we won't be ready for JAE I always knew it was going to be asking a lot but we just won't get the time to log all the data from the maps and run-in period before the weekend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 Got a look at the complete engine today before it gets put back into the carNew IAT sensor drilled into the manifold of the superchargerAnd the new Xtreme lightweight HD clutchThe new charger is absolutely massive! I can't wait to hear it whining away once I finally get her back 5 Keethos, Tareim, MangoNo5 and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 15, 2015 Couple of small purchases keeping me sane until the car comes backCusco alternator and pulley covers. Will be going the same colour as the interior and the RaysAnd an Arc Titan gear knob. Much more weight then the OEM knob and a bit smaller too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) Popped down to Abbey today after I was prompted by Steve sending me this picture while he's waiting for a service and MOT to be completed on his carTook a couple of pics myself while I was there. I really can't wait to get this back! One of the Abbey guys said they started it up yesterday and it sounded "mint" New oil cooler placed behind the drivers side fog light cover (but I've got the APR carbon ducts so will get some cold air directly onto the cooler) Edited September 17, 2015 by smudge 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 18, 2015 Got the call off Scott, we're good to go for tomorrow! Only 1 map for now, limited to 5500rpm which is 110mph boooooGenuinely can't wait to pick her back up in the morning 2 Lauren and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 19, 2015 Today was the day! Picked her up at 9am this morning and chose some back roads for the route home so I avoid motorways while running the engine inAs above, currently limited to 5500rpm on a very moderate base map until we've put a few hundred miles on the engine to have the oils changed at the full map put on. At the moment, we're running around 230bhp at the wheels with 1.2bar of boost at 5500rpm, so a LOT more to come out of the engine once it's mappedThe biggest difference right now? The NOISE! It's just so awesomeCruising around town you get a loud whistle from the charger around 2,000rpm, then when you boot it the whole car just fucks off, screaming it's way down the road!Took a quick video when I got her home just to get the noise of the charger. Engine sounds like it's knocking but it's just the crap microphone on my camera phone. Engine runs smooth and sweetI'll be doing a couple of hundred miles all on back roads tomorrowThe new clutch with the Cusco shift springs takes some getting used to, but the shift is short and precise now. Coupled with the new Arc gear knob, it's a really good setup for the gearboxAnd of course I had to treat her to a clean after nearly 5 weeks since her last bath 3 Keethos, Ztox and Lauren reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 20, 2015 Few pictures from Pistonheads Sunday Service at Brands Hatch this morning. Car got a lot of attentionAnd a small update of finally fitting my WedsSport centre caps to finish the wheels offCar is feeling better and better with every mile covered. Just generally staying 1 gear higher than I usually would and changing around 3-4k rpm, occasionally taking it steadily up to 5k rpm on a dual carriageway103 miles done so far, out again tonight to cover a few more 2 Lauren and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Couple of better pictures from day at Brands Hatch over the weekend Also took the car back to Abbey this morning just to check over a couple of bits. I have to say that Abbey's customer service is 2nd to none. I'm worrying over some slight noises that are all normal, but Mark tells me to take the car back into him to check everything over just to put my mind at ease. Not only is their workmanship excellent, they will always ensure you're looked after too203 miles done now, Mark will probably give me the all clear later today to pick her back up and I can continue racking up the miles over the next few days Edited September 22, 2015 by smudge 2 Keethos and Lauren reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan7954 35 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 Pic of your car on the sunday service news thread 👍 ... But you probably already know! http://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonheads/brands-hatch-sunday-service-review/32949 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 23, 2015 Nice spot Dan, cheers 2 Keethos and MangoNo5 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted September 28, 2015 296miles done, 204 to go...Attended the Car Throttle meet in Feltham at the weekend. Was a chance to get my car noticed by one of the internet's biggest YouTube and social media pages for cars.I met Alex from CT himself and had a good chat about my car. He was very impressed at how unique it was and how much attention had gone into itFew pictures from the meet, I expect there to be a few more as there were lots of cameras floating aroundOn a more negative note, the car won't be ready for the Amber meet this weekend. I'll still be there but my exhaust won't have arrived by then which means there's no point doing any mapping this week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 3, 2015 513miles now completed. Engine is well run in by now but this exhaust issue is stopping us from mapping the car...need to make some decisions in the next few days! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 10, 2015 Last night I met a friend who wanted to get some decent photos of the 86. After a few hours in different locations around Guildford, he sent me across a couple of really quick edits early this morning, more to come soonWe may even be doing a small video in a few weeks when he gets his new camera with HD filming capabilitiesThen today was preparation for Japshow Finale tomorrow, the last show of the yearI thought it was finally time to debut my show wheels! Just in time to be put away until next year On route to getting tyres swapped from my WedsSport track wheels after being cleaned and sealed with Gtechniq C5 nanosealantAnd finally on the carThey look a little weird right now as I'm so used to the silver WedsSports - but I'm sure they'll get some good attention at Japshow tomorrow 5 Keethos, Lauren, Leosille and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 12, 2015 (edited) I'll admit I wasn't madly in love with them when I first put them on. But I think it's purely because the WedsSports are silver so they look bigger and more agressive with the higher offsetAfter a day with the car at Japshow yesterday, I was loving the show wheels and the attention they got. The WedsSports look great but these are a whole new level now. Pictures really don't do them any justice but here's a few more from yesterdayJapshow was a great finish to the show season. Always good to see Chris from Tarmac Sportz and the Team Tarmac boys. We had a stand of about 25 cars and are planning to maybe even get some trade stands at shows next yearDaily/winter wheels will be on this weekend for the next few monthsCatback exhaust has been ordered into Abbey so we should soon be able to see some tuning now that I'm nearing 1,000miles on the new engine...fingers crossed Edited October 12, 2015 by smudge 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 17, 2015 Today, the pretty show wheels came off and were replaced with some JR11's courtesy of Chris @ Tarmac Sportz I wanted some wheels that would still look great but not too expensive as they'll only be used for daily/winter wheels so it didn't really matter if they got a bit messed up with all the road salt and crap over winter. The JR11's are the perfect combo of style and price for me Also got my headlight level adjustment bar so that I can actually see more than 10ft in front of me at night. Fitted, but feel it might need some adjustment so I'll get on that tomorrow after a little drive tonight 2 Keethos and Tarmac reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 20, 2015 Today was a good dayMy Ultimate Racing 3" catback exhaust arrived and was fitted in just over an hour. Bit fiddly for one pair of hands and no ramp, but fairly simple nonethelessPackaged very well, coming from Canada, shipped into the USA and then into the UKAnd all unpacked ready to be fittedIdeally would have like the tips to be part of the back boxes rather than clamping on, but I can get that done at a later date. Quality is top notch on this system - welds are nice, neat and smooth and the colouring on the titanium tips is beautifulI forgot how heavy the stock catback is. When I took off the last hanger I nearly dropped the whole thing on top of me! Lifting the new system into place was a breeze by comparison given it's lightweight constructionThis is a full 3" system with a resonator in place to keep noise and drone downThanks to Chris @Tarmac Sportz for getting this system at a great price as usualUpon first start up, it's LOUD. I'll need the rest of the system to have at least another resonator and maybe another high-flow cat to keep the noise down. But I think when it comes to track time I may need some bungs or somethingIt sounds so much more like a Scooby Impreza now with the larger bore piping. Can't wait to finish the system off and have it all complete 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 20, 2015 (edited) Quick video - phone camera and YouTube compression does it no justice Edited October 20, 2015 by smudge 7 Keethos, Gringosteve, Mike and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 24, 2015 Booked into JP Exhausts in Macclesfield for 9th November to get the manifold, overpipe and front pipe with silencers made upThen booked into Abbey for 14th November to start the mapping process 2 Lauren and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted October 30, 2015 Picked up a Perrin 3" cold air intake for an absolute bargain from an owner in the States Brand new these are around £300+Managed to get mine for $230 delivered. So around £150 - guy had no need for it and it's still new in the boxThis will compliment the new charger extremely well as it's proven to give the best air flow of all the intakes. The area the filter sits is nice and cool too with air entering the lower grille on the front bumper and being forced up into the filterAlso booked into JP Exhausts in Macclesfield for Monday 9th November. These guys have been recommended to me by numerous people and although it's a bit far from home, their reputation and value for money quote is worth itDriving to Warrington tomorrow for the Tuning Developments meet and then leaving the car with a friend for JP Exhausts to collect it on Monday 9th. No point me bringing it back home Sunday night and then taking it back up again next weekend. Pointless adding another 500miles onto the car when I don't need it during the week 4 Lauren, Keethos, Mark-in-Stoke and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted November 2, 2015 After a long drive from London to Warrington for the TD meet at the weekend, the car is now with JP Exhausts ready to have some work doneUnfortunately it's unlikely they'll be able to do anything this week but most likely start work next Monday ready to be collected on Friday 13th. From there it'll be a trip down to Abbey to leave her in their capable hands and hopefully be fully mapped in a few daysThe team at JP are confident they can make the volume of the exhaust track-legal so fingers crossed although I will admit I was quite loving the noise of the new 3" catback recently Share this post Link to post Share on other sites